DAPHNE, Ala. — The Daphne Public Library has set entry-level computer classes for 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sept. 14, 16, 21 and 23.

Classes are open to anyone, and they are free of charge.

There will be open study halls for practice or hands-on help sessions from 1 p.m to 3 p.m. Sept. 15 and Sept. 22.

Class size is limited to 15 and sign-up sheets for the first-come, first-serve program are available in the library lobby.

The classes are for beginners. Each student will work at his or her computer terminal and will receive a workbook filled with handouts.

Library Director Tonja Young said that the classes have been requested by people for a long time.

“We’ve had people asking for years when we would have computer classes, but we didn’t have enough terminals to have a class,” Young said. “Plus, we needed enough room for a speaker without disrupting the other people in the library. Now that we have this computer lab it can work like a classroom, and we can shut the door and have interaction without disturbing somebody.”

The library just installed a new computer lab, and the classes will be one of the first major uses, Young said.

Library staffers will teach the classes. Patrons of the Daphne Senior Center and residents of Westminster Village are eligible for extra classes. Students will complete an evaluation form that the library will use to plan future classes.

Young said the classes should be beneficial to the citizens of Daphne, and that the library hopes to provide more advanced classes in the future.

“We feel like it’s a free service to the public,” she said. “While we are starting with the seniors and anyone who wishes to learn the basics, we are going to advance further.

“I don’t know of any other place in the city which offers free computer classes.”

Future courses will cover topics including: accessing the Internet; e-mail; beginning Microsoft Word; Microsoft Word shortcuts for more advanced users; Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher; digital photography; and digital scrapbooking.

Other classes to be offered in the computer lab will cover the Alabama Virtual Library and Internet research methods.

The computer lab will be open during regular library hours of operation. The library is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

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